In-Plane Switching Tunable Cylindrical Lenses for AR Vision Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wearable display systems for augmented reality often require custom inserts or form factors to correct refractive errors for non-emmetropic users, which are time-consuming, expensive, and aesthetically unappealing.
Innovation Solution
Integration of in-plane switching mode liquid crystal tunable lenses into head-mounted displays, featuring variable spherical and cylindrical refractive powers, allowing for customizable correction of refractive errors, including astigmatism, by adjusting optical elements based on user prescription and biometric data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If custom inserts are provided to correct refractive errors for non-emmetropic users, then the correction accuracy is improved, but the manufacturing cost and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs tunable lenses with variable optical power that can be dynamically adjusted to match different user prescriptions. The lens power can be changed electronically without physical replacement, allowing a single device to serve multiple users with different refractive errors. This dynamic adjustment capability eliminates the need for manufacturing custom inserts for each user while maintaining correction accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the optical parameters of the lens by adjusting the liquid crystal orientation through applied electric fields. By varying the voltage applied to the liquid crystal layers, the refractive index and thus the optical power of the lens can be tuned continuously. This parameter change approach allows customization of refractive correction without physical manufacturing changes.
2Ease of operation
If form factors are designed to accommodate eyeglasses between the wearer and the display's eyepiece, then the usability for non-emmetropic users is improved, but the device complexity and aesthetic appearance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the refractive correction function with the display's existing optical components by integrating tunable lenses directly into the eyepiece assembly. This integration eliminates the need for separate eyeglasses or additional form factor modifications, as the correction function is combined with the display optics themselves. The result is a streamlined device that maintains aesthetic appearance while providing usability for non-emmetropic users.
3Ease of manufacture
If fixed optical elements are used in the eyepiece, then the manufacturing cost is reduced, but the adaptability to different user prescriptions is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces fixed optical elements with dynamic, tunable lenses whose optical power can be adjusted electronically. This allows a single manufactured component to adapt to multiple user prescriptions by changing its focal length through liquid crystal reconfiguration. The manufacturing process remains relatively simple while gaining significant adaptability to different user needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The tunable lens system provides universal functionality by being capable of delivering multiple different optical prescriptions from a single device. The lens can serve users with various refractive errors (myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism) by adjusting its optical parameters, making the eyepiece universally adaptable rather than requiring user-specific customization.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Provides efficient, power-saving, and aesthetically pleasing correction of refractive errors, eliminating the need for custom inserts and accommodating a range of users with non-emmetropic vision.
Implementation Method 1
in-plane switching mode liquid crystal (LC) geometric phase (GP) tunable lenses
Implementation Method 2
An assembly of two such variable cylindrical lenses formed from an IPS-mode LC device
Implementation Method 3
Collectively, the variable compound lenses can correct for refractive error of the user, including astigmatism, and can position digital images at appropriate depth planes
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure describes in-plane switching mode liquid crystal geometric phase tunable lenses that can be integrated into an eyepiece of an optical device for the correction of non-emmetropic vision, such as in an augmented reality display system. The eyepiece can include an integrated, field-configurable optic arranged with respect to a waveguide used to project digital imagery to the user, the optic being capable of providing a tunable Rx for the user including variable spherical refractive power (SPH), cylinder refractive power, and cylinder axis values. In certain configuration, each tunable eyepiece includes two variable compound lenses: one on the user-side of the waveguide with variable SPH, cylinder power, and axis values; and a second on the world side of the waveguide with variable SPH.